Jazz
Recorded May 15 716 by TALLEY SHERWOOD at MARTINSOUND STUDIOS, Alhambra, CA
Phil Kelly & The SW Santa Ana Winds is:
Trumpets/Flugelhorns:
Wayne Bergeron (lead/contractor)
Dan Fornero
Pete De Sienna
Bob Summers (solos)
Jay Thomas (solos on Blulonius & Zip Code 2005)
Trombones:
Andy Martin (Lead & solos)
Charlie Morillas
Dave Ryan
Michael Millar (bass)
Saxes/Woodwinds:
Lanny Morgan (lead/alto flute/c flute)
Gary Foster (alto/alto flute/c flute)
Pete Christlieb (tenor/clarinet)
Brian Scanlon (tenor/clarinet)
Bill Ramsey (bari/bass clarinet)
Rhythm
Bill Cunliffe piano
Brant Geissman guitar
Tom Warrington bass
Steve Houghton drums
Brian Kilgore percussion
Rhythm on "Juan Beatov"
Dan Wojciechowski drums
Gerald Stockton elec. bass
Bud Cain, Grant Geissman guitars
Bill Cunliffe keyboards
Brian Kilgore percussion
Rhythm on "My Museum"
Darin Clendenin piano
Clipper Anderson bass
Greta Matassa vocal
Strings:
Violins
Dian Kitzman (concertmistress)
Maria Schleuning
Sho-Mei Pelletier
Bing Wang
Dawn Stahler
Lauren Charbonneau
Michelle DeShazo
Violas
Tom Demer
Mitta Angell
Cellos
Peter Steffens
Mitch Maxwell
"Big-band albums this rewarding don't come along very often."
---Jack Bowers / All About Jazz
As a follow up to his Grammy-nominated "Convergence Zone," Phil Kelly brings together many of his friends from his days in Los Angeles for a hard-swinging look at his arrangements of standards such as "Jeannine," "Body & Soul," and Ellington's "Daydream," and originals including the haunting and lush title cut, "My Museum" featuring the vocals of Greta Matassa. Propelled by the drumming of Steve Houghton and lead players like Wayne Bergeron, Lanny Morgan, Andy Martin and Pete Christlieb, Kelly's crisp, modern take on the Big Band will inspire all lovers of the genre.
Produced by PHIL KELLY
Assistant Producer: GERALD STOCKTON
Except "My Museum" recorded by David Lange at David Lange Studio, Tacoma, WA
Strings recorded by David Giangullo at TM CENTURY, Dallas, TX
Rhythm for "Juan Beatov" recorded by DAVID GIANGULLO at TM CENTURY, Dallas, TX
Mixed by TALLEY SHERWOOD at BAYSIDE RECORDING, Bellingham, WA
Mastered by DAVID GLASSER at AIRSHOW Mastering, Boulder, CO
Session photography by CLINT HOPSON
Cover photography by AARON KOHR
Layout & design JOHN BISHOP
Switching from his usual partners, the NW Prevailing Winds, Phil Kelly takes on a new collective of musicians here, the SW Santa Ana Winds. The move is from Seattle to Los Angeles physically, and similarly for the musical aesthetic. Despite the core sound being determined by Kelly's arrangements, the players surrounding him (with the exception of NW trumpeter Jay Thomas) change to a slightly more dramatic tone. The compositions are an intriguing mix of originals and standards, all rearranged as needed for the big-band setting. Duke Pearson's "Jeannine" opens up the album with a catchy old-school feel thanks to the almost movie-score sound of the band. This is followed by a large-scale tribute of sorts to Monk, with a deep blues inflection straight out of a smoky juke joint and nice soloing from Jay Thomas and Brian Scanlon. Continuing on, Scanlon steals the show on "Pleading Dim Cap," and "Daydream" is given a tender working with only some renovation. The title track is the softest, most introspective piece on the album, almost out of place with its string section amidst the mass of jumping, hopping numbers. Latin grooves play a part in the next two pieces, "Juan Beatov Stomp" (it's one beat off, in 7/8) and a slightly samba-fied rendition of "Body and Soul." The album finishes off with a casual afternoon groove and a hot ending in "Zip Code 2005." The band plays at the peak of its game here, and Kelly's arrangements and compositions provide an excellent palette to work from. The sound is tight throughout, and the soloists generally excellent. Modern big band is making a bit of a resurgence, through folks like Kelly and Chris Walden. This one is a surefire hit for aficionados of the modern big band.
---Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide |
